Lazarus

Latinized Greek variation of Hebrew Eleazar
"God is my helper"

Lazarus Origin and Meaning

The name Lazarus is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "God is my helper".

Lazarus is a name that looks as if it could possibly be raised from the dead, just like its biblical bearer. Look for it in the next wave of Old Testament revivals that transcend their long-bearded images, the way Noah, Moses, and Abraham have for this generation.

In the Bible, there are two people named Lazarus, the better known being the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany whom Jesus raised from the dead. There have been also several saints named Lazarus.

As a surname, Lazarus is most identified with poet Emma Lazarus, whose words are displayed on the Statue of Liberty.

Related options are the original Hebrew Eleazar, the Italian and Spanish Lazaro, and the Yiddish form Lazer/Laser, the name of the son in the film The Kids are All Right.

# 264 on Nameberry

Lazarus Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Lazarus Popularity

Famous People Named Lazarus

  • Lazarus of Bethany
    Biblical man resurrected by Jesus
  • Lazarus Whitehead Powell
    U.S. Senator and 19th Governor of Kentucky
  • Lazarus Immanuel Fuchs
    German mathematician who pioneered linear differential equations
  • Lazarus Seaman
    English noncomformist clergyman
  • Lazarus Echo (b. 2010)
    son of musician Trent Reznor
  • Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy
    American musician
  • Emma Lazarus
    American poet and activist

Lazarus in Pop Culture

  • Lazarus Pit
    a reference to the DC Universe; a pit that brings people back to life, but makes them want to kill
  • "Lady Lazarus"
    a poem by Sylvia Plath
  • Lazarus
    indestructible protagonist of Lazarus Laughed, a 1927 play by Eugene O'Neill (his parents and sisters, Mary and Martha, are all trampled to death)
  • Lazarus Powheid
    sexton in Walter Scott's "Castle Dangerous" (1832)
  • Lazarus
    Image Comics series
  • "Me and Lazarus"
    a song by Iron & Wine
  • Dr Lazarus of Tek'Meck
    from the movie "Galaxy Quest"
  • Dr. Lazarus
    Doctor Who
  • F&R Lazarus & Company
    defunct regional department store chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest
  • "Dig
    Lazarus, Dig!!!", album and song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
  • "The Lazarus Effect"
    2015 Horror/Thriller movie
  • "The Lazarus Sign" 2014 single by American Deathcore band
    Defiler
  • Kirk Lazarus
    character from 2008 film "Tropic Thunder"